Uber-like valet parking service launches in Philly

Hate parking in town? Center City will be home to valet parking through the on-demand service app Luxe, which launches here Tuesday.

You request a valet - through an iOS or Android device - at the start of a trip. Then the Luxe app tracks your progress to the destination, and has a named, uniformed and insured attendant standing by as you pull up.

The car is whisked away to a secure garage or lot, and then returned (with half-hour notice) to you anywhere in the zone you want.

To start, the Luxe coverage area blankets 12th to 21st Streets and Race to Pine Streets "with plans to expand to more areas in the near future," a representative said.

Exploiting bulk rate purchasing of car spaces "like hotels.com," Luxe can charge less than you would pay to park a car yourself.

It costs $5 an hour with a maximum of $20 a day, $10 extra for overnight to the start of daily operations; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

"Wow, it's going to be huge . . . for customers, retailers, our restaurants and others," restaurateur Stephen Starr said. "The idea is awesome; plus, they're asking less than the typical $18-$20 for valet parking."

First timers earn a $20 credit with the code "XOXOLUXE," with more credits for referrals. All fees, including tips, are paid by credit card only.

The brainstorm of Wharton MBA grad Curtis Lee and partner Craig Martin, Luxe Valet Inc. started last October in San Francisco, and since has launched the Luxe parking app in Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, New York and Austin.

- Jonathan Takiff